The Boston Bruins will be without defenseman Charlie McAvoy for an indefinite period following successful facial surgery, which he underwent after being struck in the face by a slap shot during last Saturday’s game against Montreal. This marks McAvoy’s third consecutive game missed, and as of now, there is no set timetable for his return.
As the Bruins continue their three-game road trip in California, they are aiming to regain their momentum when they face the Los Angeles Kings on Friday night. The team’s recent struggle was evident during their Wednesday night loss to the Anaheim Ducks, where they allowed a game-winning goal in the final minutes of regulation for the second time in four games.
This matchup on Friday is particularly significant for the Kings, as it is their first home game since November 6, following a back-to-back schedule that included a 4-3 shootout loss to the Sharks on Thursday.
The game is set to begin at 7:30 p.m. local time in Los Angeles (10:30 p.m. Eastern), and fans can catch all the action on NESN and WBZ-FM 98.5.
Currently, the Bruins hold a season record of 12-10-0, showing promise with a 7-3-0 record over their last ten games. In contrast, the Kings are attempting to improve upon their season mark of 10-6-5.
Statistically, the Bruins have a slight edge, scoring 71 goals while allowing 73, in comparison to the Kings’ 58 goals against and 57 goals allowed. Boston’s power play efficiency stands at an impressive 27.4%, while their penalty kill sits at 81.9%. Forward Morgan Geekie shines as a standout player for the Bruins, having scored two goals against Anaheim, which tied him for second in the NHL with 14 goals.
In response to McAvoy’s absence, Michael Callahan has joined the Bruins from their AHL affiliate in Providence. Notably, Nikita Zadorov and rookie Jonathan Aspirot have stepped up to fill the gaps left in the lineup. Meanwhile, after a brief stint as a healthy scratch, Kings forward Andrei Kuzmenko has returned to the ice, looking to enhance his season performance.
As both teams take the ice, spectators can hope for an exciting match, with the Bruins seeking to shake off their recent setbacks and the Kings aiming to find their footing at home. This game certainly shapes up to be a crucial one for both teams as they look to solidify their standings in the league.